Youll need a black test lead to connect to the negative pin on the trailer, and a red one to the Ground pin on the vehicle. Narva 7 and 12 pin trailer connectors comply with all relevant ADRs. Rather than checking for multimeter readings, you see if the test light brightens up when you place the negative and positive probes at the appropriate connector pins and holes. In addition, make sure that all lights are active. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Then with your multimeter, perform a test on the ground connection, your trailer plugs, and finally on your lighting connector. Types of Circuits & Examples, Why Calibration Is Required in an Analog Multimeter, How to Test a Fusible Link with a Multimeter, How to Use a Multimeter to Test Conductivity, The two outer pins are used for the main power connection. This site contains affiliate links to products. 7 pin plug on tow vehicle, how to test? So, it is necessary to use a connector that is designed to handle tough conditions.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'handtoolsforfun_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-handtoolsforfun_com-medrectangle-4-0'); In the United States, most vehicles are equipped with a 7-way plug. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If the multimeter reports the same amount of volts as the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of the problem. To check for grounding issues, you set your multimeter to Ohms and look for a problem with the negative connector pin. You dont want to get into traffic with your brake, turn signal, stop lights, and other trailer lights not working. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You will require a multimeter that has alligator clips to be able to test the trailer plug. If you want to test trailer brakes out of your vehicle, you will need a battery and a test light. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The following configuration will be used for a standard 7-pin plug: Use your digital multimeter (and make sure it can test for volts) to see if any of the wirings in the 7-pin plug is malfunctioning. Unscrew the Philip screws you would see on the device's back case. The 7-pin trailer plug can be fixed. Most trailer light breakdowns are caused by a weak ground connection. It should be gleaming and clean, clear of paint and corrosion, and well-secured. Trailer Wiring Diagrams Exploroz Articles. The good news is that they are available in a wide range of price ranges. If the reading is less than 12, it is a grounding issue. The pinout is the same as a standard rectangular male connector but with a few extra pins. Test each light to know the ones that are not working right, then be sure you do not have a burnout bulb. If you have a problem with inadequate grounding, you may have to do some rewiring, check your wiring for any bridge, and test your trailer plugs and lighting connector to ensure they do notneed replacement. References(1) color codes https://www.computerhope.com/htmcolor.htm(2) wiring system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulL9VBjETpk. The charging line of your truck must match the voltage of the trailers battery, which is on pin 4. Bill Eaglerunner 16.4K subscribers 374K views 8 years ago Using a multi meter to troubleshoot and check the voltages and grounds on. Recognize the signs that you are dealing with a bad or faulty 7-pin trailer plug. 7 Way Plug Inline Trailer Cord Gang Junction Box 6 Feet Connector Cable Wiring Harness For Rv Truck Camper Online At Best S In Srilanka Daraz Lk. Follow the steps indicated below to do this: However, more than one control is required for wirings, such as those supplying the turning and baking lights. If you are using a multimeter to test your 7-pin plug for faults, you will need to make sure that the probe will be able to reach each pin of the plug. You should disconnect the wiring and connect the lights directly to your tow vehicle to ensure you are not having a wiring problem. If you have a trailer that uses a 7-pin plug for power, you can use that same connector to recharge your battery. However, even if you take care of them, they frequently stop working. One of the most complicated things to test on a car often seems to be the 7-pin trailer plug as it hosts 7 different electrical connections in one plug/wire.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'housetechlab_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-housetechlab_com-medrectangle-3-0'); But with the use of a simple multimeter with a black/red probe you can test this easily at home to determine if there is an electrical break within the plug. It will help you prevent future mistakes and do the work more precisely. Youll need basic tools like a crimping tool and wire cutters. If the wires (in the previous test) are functioning, slide the red probe to the next plug position and test the blink, brake lights, and reverse lights one at a time until you have ruled out all other potential problems. Your multimeter should indicate the value corresponding to the voltage of the battery you are using. A 7-pin plug (sometimes referred to as the "7-way trailer connector") is the connector and heavy-duty wire that brings the necessary power and related functions to the trailer you're towing. Does a 7 Pin Trailer Plug Charge Battery? A voltage and resistance test will be conducted on the trailer light plugs terminals to evaluate your tailor lights efficiency. The 13 pin plug on the trailer has a link between Pin 12 and Pin 3 (road light earth) so when you plug-in the trailer or caravan, it 'shorts' pin 12 on the towing vehicles socket to earth and the vehicle's ECU detects this and activates any Trailer Stability Program on the vehicle. Certifications: B.E.E. Set your multimeter to read volt DC, and connect the black probe to the negative and the red probe to one of the control wires. To test a four pin trailer plug, you set the multimeter to DC volts, place the black probe at the bottom neutral plug, and use the red probe at the other plugs to test for different lights. You should make sure it is set to DC volt settings. To check the connector holes, you place your black probe on the negative pin and put your red probe into the other positive pinholes. 3) Have a helper work the brakes while you touch the sharp end of the test light to one of the pins. The white wire would be the ground wire and brown for the tail or running lights. You may have other types of plugs which have 3, 4, 5 or 6 different connections but for this one, Ill focus on the most common 7-pin plug. To test the 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter, here are the things you should do: you must locate the socket that will allow you to connect the black probe to the wire that goes to the main socket. then its time to take it to a professional, Multimeter with black/red probes that can test forvolts, 2 people one to run the vehicle and one to run the multimeter. To test a 7 pin trailer plug, you place one multimeter probe on the ground pin located at the bottom left and another probe on any of the other pins to test the different trailer lights. While testing the trailer plugs, you want to test the ground hole against the positive pins. Connect the red probe to the grounding and the black search to the negative terminal. Flat connectors comply with Australian Standards AS4177.5-2004. Trace the ground wire you want to test. These are the same connections that you tested for the turn signals. How to Ground a Cb Antenna on a Semi Truck? You can connect probes in any direction, as resistance has no direction. Whatever the case, testing the connections on a 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter is very easy. Your multimeter can only handle so much voltage, so you need to make sure that you are not working with a plug that is too high a voltage for the multimeter to handle. If you are facing the 7-Way, using either tester, you will test for the proper signal as follows: 1 oclock position = 12 volt hot lead 3 oclock position = right turn/brake light 5 oclock position = brake controller output To see the wires, remove the old plug. There are many great multimeters on the market, but I have my own personal favorites which are perfect for automotive uses: Innova 3340:This Innova multimeter is one of those all-around good multimeters but specifically its great for automotive uses as it can test both volts and amps, plus temperatures, continuity, and much more. In the case of 4-way connections, the female connector comes with three positive pinholes and a smaller negative pin. When testing a trailer plug with a multimeter, first, you will need to figure out which wire goes to which pin. Maybe someone used a lot of force on the connection, and it broke. Do the same to the other set of pins, and then press the switch. Take a look at some of our related articles below. (1). Some wires have their controls labeled on them, but color codes should work for you if you have a plug without labeled wires. Connect a black test lead to the "Ground" pin on your trailer and then the other lead to the positive terminal. To test your trailer lights, you disconnect the wiring system and use your multimeter probes to check for a ground connection problem at the connector or a problem with the trailer plugs. Make sure youre not getting more than one volt. How Do You Test a Trailer Outlet? The lights attached to the pinhole should turn on, then repeat the same process with the other control pinholes. We would conclude this article with life-extending advice that immediately you find fault with your trailer lights, you should fix it quickly. To test a 7-pin trailer plug on a truck, use a multimeter. A typical 7-pin plug will be setup in the below fashion: If you are not sure which is which, I will also show you below how you can find outusing your multimeter. A good brake controller, like the Tekonsha P3, has test functions built in. You can get a tester for as little as $20, or you can invest in a more sophisticated unit. Wire the vehicle side wiring harness to a standalone battery. Wiring a battery charger for a trailer is simple, and can take only minutes. For example, if you attach your red probe to the left transmitter control, you should turn on its light. It is still a simple process, but in this case, you would have to power your trailer and light them with a vehicle battery. Here are other important things you should consider before testing 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter:if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'handtoolsforfun_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',161,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-handtoolsforfun_com-leader-1-0'); While the seven-pin plug is much more versatile, it is also much more difficult to test since it is essentially two plugs crammed into one. Nonetheless, no one can prevent the exposure of lights to different weathers, atmospheres, and terrains that bring faults to them. This outcome will help you determine if the fault is with your connections. You will want to test your trailer plug to make sure it is working properly and check that there are no shorts or grounds between the trailer and the tow vehicle. How Do You Test a 7 Pin Connector on a Truck? Trailer Plugs. Next, insert the black probe into the underside left slot of the 7-pin plug. 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